Real Romance - By Ginny Baird Page 0,41

doing the right thing, and wasn't making some big blunder. But the entire family had assured him his take on the matter was perfect.

With Marie's father being gone, Johnny had been the logical one to approach. But after speaking with him, Johnny had indicated that Mark might feel a little left out unless David also talked to him. Of course, Mark then pointed out that Jill and Teresa were Marie's sisters after all, and if—after speaking to Mark and Johnny—David somehow omitted them in the process, they'd be awfully hurt.

After all that, David had decided to sit down and have a chat with Dan and Jack as well. Oh, and he'd called Meg, in North Carolina, just to be sure his idea wouldn't upset her wedding plans in any way.

David sat at attention, as the wedding march started to play on Chad's grandson's boom box.

Marie walked in first, looking lovely in a low-cut, black sheath dress, and holding a bouquet of roses.

Then he smiled in wonder at the elegant old lady gliding down the aisle. Love, at any age, he decided, was stunning.

And he knew with a clarity beyond reason, that he and Marie would still share its glow—far past the day when their own hair turned gray.

David discreetly raised a hand to wipe away a tear as the minister stepped forward to begin the ceremony. For this would not only be a day that Chad and Joanne would remember for eternity, he was hoping... oh, how he was hoping... it'd be a landmark day for him and Marie, as well.

As the small group of guests mingled over cocktails, David turned away, searching for Marie.

"Looking for someone?" she asked, sneaking up behind him and almost startling him out of his socks.

"Marie," David nearly shouted, "don't... no," he said, halting abruptly, as her lips broke into a sensuous smile. "I take that back, surprise me all you want."

"Gracious," she said, stretching up on her toes and kissing him full force on the lips, "you're looking handsome tonight." And he did. Marie slightly narrowed her eyes, thinking she'd never seen him in a nice suit and tie before. And she liked it. Boy, did she like it.

Then again, she thought wickedly, she liked it best when he wore nothing at all.

David gave a nervous smile and looked around the room. Holy cow, was she forward tonight. Not that she couldn't be... But in public she was normally somewhat shy.

He studied her as her lips turned up in another naughty smile. "Had some champagne, dear?"

"Why, yes, I've had some champagne! And why not? We're celebrating here. Cel-e-brating! Yeee-ha!" she shouted, throwing her arms into the air and waving them.

"Marie," David said, clutching her to him and quickly scanning the room. "Maybe you shouldn't have any more."

"What do you mean, I shouldn't have any more? Hey sweet thing, why are you whispering?"

David held her even closer.

"Ouch! What are you—"

"Excuse us," David said to the very interested guests. Then he gripped Marie around the waist and carted her out of the room.

"What are you doing? I wanted to stay and enjoy the party!"

"I know you did, sweetheart," David said, bending low to grab her behind her knees. "But I've got a party of my own in mind."

"Hey, whoa!" she squealed, as he hoisted her skyward and threw her over his shoulder.

"David Lake, put me down!" she yelled, pounding his rear with her fists.

But he just pushed back the door and carried her into the night, where the December wind half froze her bare skin and sobered her up in a hurry.

"Who are you?" she asked, still hanging upside down.

"Just call me Fabio," he said, patting her bottom with a smile.

Chapter Fifteen

Marie adjusted the heater vent in her direction, then folded her arms across her chest.

"I'm going to give you exactly five seconds to explain yourself, or else..."

David raised his eyebrows.

"Or else I'm calling the police."

"You mean Chad?" David tried to hold back a chuckle, but didn't quite succeed.

She huffed and looked out the window.

"Great to see you think making a spectacle of yourself is so funny."

David widened his eyes and thumbed his chest.

"Hey, wait a minute, sweet thing. That is what you called me in there? Sweet—"

"Okay, David, I get the point. So I had a little too much champagne. Well, it's been a long week. I've been working late, haven't slept much. And then with all the wedding—"

"Marie," he said, with one of those deep blue looks that made her completely lose sight of